The allure of classic cars often lies in their untold stories, the whispers of history echoing from beneath layers of dust and time. Imagine a tale, passed down through generations, of a Mercedes-Benz, a true automotive jewel, hidden away for decades behind the unassuming walls of a butcher’s shop in the UK. This is the captivating story of the Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster, a vehicle shrouded in mystery and rediscovered to claim its rightful place in automotive history.
This wasn’t just any Mercedes-Benz; the 500K Spezial Roadster, especially those crafted in 1936, represent the pinnacle of pre-war automotive luxury and engineering. Less than thirty of these magnificent machines were ever produced, making each one an exceptionally rare and sought-after prize. Yet, the very subject of our story, this particular Spezial Roadster, wasn’t always revered. For an astounding 32 years, it remained concealed, locked away from the world, behind the brick walls of a British butcher’s establishment. While the dramatic “ghost story” of its entombment might be slightly exaggerated, the reality of its hidden existence is no less fascinating.
The moniker “the butcher’s car” emerged in the 1980s when this Mercedes-Benz 500K was dramatically unearthed from its long-term storage in Walsall, near Birmingham. Its liberation led it to a Christie’s auction in Beaulieu in 1988. Still unrestored, bearing the marks of time and neglect from its barn find condition, this remarkable roadster stunned the world. It fetched a record-breaking sum of £1,585,000 – equivalent to €3.6 million at the time. This sale not only made it the most expensive Mercedes-Benz ever sold at auction but also the second most valuable car globally, instantly catapulting the “butcher’s car” into international headlines.
However, the journey to auction stardom wasn’t straightforward. Before reaching the glamorous Christie’s event, the Mercedes-Benz 500K had been acquired by an antiques dealer for a significantly lower price. This transaction itself was far from simple.
Arthur Dawson, the butcher who unknowingly held possession of this automotive treasure, was reportedly reluctant to part ways with his roadster. Despite years of attempts from a persistent friend and others seeking to acquire the car for a bargain, Dawson remained steadfast in his refusal to sell. Eventually, an antiques dealer was brought in to negotiate. This dealer, seemingly aware of the hidden gem’s true value, successfully convinced the stubborn butcher to sell. Just months later, the dealer reaped a substantial profit, highlighting the butcher’s apparent unawareness of the escalating value of classic automobiles, particularly those hidden away and forgotten for decades.
To truly appreciate the significance of the “butcher’s car,” it’s essential to delve into the history of the Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster itself. The Spezial Roadster’s breathtaking lines were the creation of Friedrich Geiger, a gifted young designer working under the supervision of Hermann Ahrens, Mercedes-Benz’s chief designer at the time. Geiger had joined the prestigious ‘Sonderwagen’ department in 1933 and would later achieve further automotive fame by designing the iconic 300SL ‘Gullwing’ in the 1950s.
Between 1934 and 1936, Mercedes-Benz produced approximately 360 units of the 500K, with a minuscule fraction being the highly desirable Spezial Roadsters. The advanced engineering beneath the stunning bodywork was equally revolutionary. Technical director Hans Nibel developed the chassis for the 500K, building upon the foundations laid by its predecessor, the 380K of 1933. This chassis was groundbreaking for its time, featuring independent suspension on all four wheels, with double wishbones at the front and coil springs combined with hydraulic shock absorbers. This sophisticated system aimed to deliver an unparalleled driving experience. While the 380K struggled to gain traction due to customer dissatisfaction with its 3.8-litre eight-cylinder engine’s performance, the 500K, with the same revolutionary chassis, became a resounding success. Mercedes-Benz proudly positioned the 500K as their new flagship model.
The Mercedes-Benz 500K was a luxury item, carrying a hefty price tag of 28,000 Reichsmark (approximately €10,433). In comparison, a standard Mercedes-Benz model cost around 6,000 RM (€2,236) less. Despite its premium price, the 500K resonated with an exclusive clientele of discerning and affluent buyers. Its appeal extended beyond just performance and engineering; the 500K’s elegant aesthetics made it particularly popular.
The 500K, and especially the Spezial Roadster variant, held a special charm for women, likely due to its blend of comfort, speed, and undeniably elegant appearance. The roadster attracted a glamorous following, counting movie stars, royalty, and even high-ranking Nazi officers among its admirers. Its successor, the even more potent 540K, continued this legacy of success and desirability.
The “K” in 500K signifies “Kompressor,” the German term for supercharger. This Roots-type compressor dramatically boosted the output of the 5-litre eight-cylinder inline engine by over 50%. Power surged from a respectable 100 horsepower to a formidable 160 horsepower (the later 540K pushed this further to 180 hp). During hard acceleration, the fuel mixture feeding the supercharged engine was so rich that overtaking slower vehicles like DKWs and Opels often resulted in a dramatic plume of black smoke, leaving them trailing in its wake.
For high-speed cruising on the burgeoning German Autobahn network, the 500K was equipped with a special ‘Schnellgang,’ or overdrive gear. This feature, coupled with its advanced chassis, made the Spezial Roadster an exceptional long-distance touring car, capable of effortless Autobahn cruising with remarkable comfort. Modern worm-gear steering made maneuvering this large car surprisingly easy, while vacuum-assisted brakes on all four wheels provided impressive stopping power. To accommodate its considerable thirst for fuel (estimated at around 1 litre per 3.3 km), the 500K boasted a massive 110-litre fuel tank.
Intriguingly, the “butcher’s car” is believed to be one of only a handful of right-hand drive Spezial Roadsters ever produced. The only other known right-hand drive example was a show car displayed at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show in London. The right-hand drive configuration offered a unique visual perk: an unobstructed view of the breathtaking, chrome-plated exhaust pipes running along the right side of the hood – a striking design element that extended nearly half the car’s length.
Beyond its performance and engineering, the Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster was an exercise in opulent detailing. The dashboard, inlaid with genuine pearl, exemplified the highest echelon of luxury. The “butcher’s car” further stood out by incorporating virtually every available styling flourish of the era: long, flowing wings, a dramatically elongated tail, a distinctive V-shaped split windshield, and, of course, the signature pearl dashboard.
The lavish use of chrome further accentuated its grandeur. From the massive headlights, incorporating fog lights and flanked by substantial chrome horns, to the spotlights beside the windscreen (with integrated rearview mirrors), chrome was liberally applied. Even the wheel balancing weights and bumper mounting holes received chrome bezels. Despite this abundance of ornamentation, the overall impression is not one of excess but of refined elegance and masterful craftsmanship.
Circling back to the “butcher’s car” narrative, its first owner was W.L. Quartermaine, a marine insurer from London, who had been captivated by the right-hand drive show model at the Olympia Motor Show. However, Quartermaine’s ownership was brief, as he soon traded the 500K for a 12-cylinder Lagonda drophead coupé. After passing through two more owners, the Spezial Roadster was acquired in 1950 by Arthur Lane, who, a few years later, sold it to his nephew, Arthur Dawson – the butcher from Walsall. Yet, after only two years of use, Dawson inexplicably parked the Spezial Roadster in his garage, where it remained dormant for the next 32 years.
The reasons behind Dawson’s decision to mothball such a magnificent machine remain a mystery. Speculation ranges from potential technical issues or the car’s notorious fuel consumption during post-war austerity, to concerns about appearing ostentatious in a Britain still recovering from conflict, or even simply the perceived social stigma of driving a “symbolic German car” in the aftermath of World War II.
Today, “the butcher’s car,” now meticulously restored to its former glory, is a prized exhibit at the Louwman Museum in The Hague. This may well be the final chapter for this exceptional Spezial Roadster, a true “pearl” in the museum’s collection. It was Swedish collector Hans Thulin who secured the car at the 1988 Christie’s auction for the record-breaking sum. He commissioned a comprehensive restoration in Germany, a fitting tribute to its origins. Thulin later sold the roadster to a Japanese collector, and in 1994, the flawlessly restored Spezial Roadster graced the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, earning “Best in Class” honors.
In stark contrast to the ill-fated French classics discussed in previous articles, the “butcher’s” Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster has enjoyed a happy ending. The story of its rediscovery and resurrection is a testament to the enduring appeal of these automotive masterpieces. A visit to the Louwman Museum offers the chance to witness this remarkable 500K firsthand, now with the added appreciation of its incredible journey from hidden obscurity to celebrated icon. For enthusiasts of classic car detailing, imagining the meticulous work required to bring this barn find back to concours condition only amplifies its legendary status.
By Rosemarijn Atalante Veenenbos
